Eyes to see...

I believe there are some prayers that God answers right away, without hesitation. For example, over the past few months I've been praying that God would give me eyes to see others the way He sees them. Since I began praying that prayer, my heart has become abundantly aware of the needs of others and I have had a burning desire to help them, whether its my best friend or a complete stranger. Its not that I never cared in the past, I was just blissfully ignorant, I guess. Lately, however, God has allowed me to truly see what people around me are struggling with. 

Today was no exception. As we were driving through Greensboro this afternoon, Bryan and I noticed a tent community within the woods near a busy a intersection. I've heard of these communities before but I've never actually seen one. There must have been 20 tents or sheets hanging in the trees, lots of large boxes that are used for beds and probably 50 people or more crowded around. It absolutely blew my mind. Not far from the community was a young lady holding a sign that said, "I just lost my job. I have a 5 year old son." I'm not going to lie, in the past I've looked at people standing on the side of the street with signs and judged them, just deciding that they didn't really need the money. But after seeing that community right up the road, I'm 100% sure she needed that money. I wanted so badly to help her but we weren't able to stop because the light was green.

God knew how badly I wanted to help her so He allowed another opportunity. When we were leaving a nearby store about an hour later, I noticed that same lady in the parking lot. Before she could even speak to me, I handed her some money. I think she was shocked that she didn't have to beg. I told her that I had seen her sign and that I also have a 5 year old son. She shared her heartbreaking story with me and she allowed me to pray over her. I could feel the Holy Spirit's presence. It was amazing. I would have never guessed that I would have another chance to give her money but being able to pray in Jesus' name over her, was more than I could have hoped for!

As she was walking away she asked another man if he could help her. She said  that she only needed 9 more dollars to get a hotel room. The man said he couldn't help. God knew her need though. Bryan overheard their conversation and he "just happened" to have $9 in his pocket. He gave it to her and she couldn't have been more thrilled. To know that her 5 year old son is sleeping in a hotel tonight instead of in a tent in 28 degree weather, brings peace to my heart. 

Today I am thankful that God allowed me the opportunity to help Danielle and her 5 year old son. In the past I would have looked right past her. I wouldn't have intentionally ignored her but that's just the way it is for most of us I think. We're so naive to a lot of the things going on in our own communities. When I had the desire to help someone in need, God made it happen! That proves to me that He loves when our hearts ache for others and desire to do something to help them. I am also grateful that God has answered my prayer. He has given me eyes to see others in a way that I've never seen before. Seeing that tent community today, with all those people living out in the cold, absolutely broke my heart. It really feels like God opened my eyes to see something I've driven right passed a hundred times. If we ask God to give us eyes to see as He sees, He'll do it! And when He does, it changes everything.